How many talented women do you know whose work deserves greater recognition? Perhaps she is a business owner whose ideas are transforming her industry, a professional making important contributions behind the scenes, or a young woman with the expertise to lead but who has yet to receive the opportunity. Their stories are all around us, yet many remain untold.
For Ijeoma Thomas-Odia, journalist, gender specialist and Editor of Guardian Woman at The Guardian Nigeria, this is one of the reasons women’s stories matter. With 15 years of experience in Nigeria’s media industry, she has built a career around storytelling, advocacy and creating opportunities for women to be recognised for their contributions.
Her work is guided by a simple belief: women deserve more than occasional recognition. Their experiences, expertise, challenges and achievements deserve consistent attention.
Beyond Telling Stories, There Is a Responsibility to Make Them Matter
Ijeoma’s interest in journalism began with her belief in the power of storytelling to inform, inspire and influence change. Over the years, that interest has developed into a deeper commitment to using the media as a tool for advocacy and social impact.
As Editor of Guardian Woman, she understands that telling women’s stories involves more than publishing profiles of successful individuals. It also means asking questions about the barriers women encounter, examining inequalities and giving attention to experiences that may otherwise be overlooked.
Women are contributing to business, politics, technology, education and several other industries. Yet their work does not always receive the same attention as that of their male counterparts. For Ijeoma, media platforms dedicated to women have a responsibility to address this imbalance.
She believes that every woman has a story worth telling. The responsibility of the media is to ensure that those stories receive the visibility, credibility and attention they deserve.
Why Women’s Representation Needs to Go Beyond the Numbers
Representation is frequently discussed in conversations about gender equality, but having more women present in an industry does not automatically mean they have equal influence.
Ijeoma’s academic work has given her a deeper understanding of this distinction. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Imo State University and a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Gender, Humanitarian and Development Studies at Redeemers University.
Her research interests include women’s political participation, governance and gender-based violence. Through this academic experience, she has developed a clearer understanding of how structural, cultural and institutional barriers affect women’s opportunities.
A woman may be appointed to a leadership position and still find that her opinions are not taken seriously. She may be invited into important conversations without having the authority to influence the decisions being made. She may have access to an opportunity on paper but lack the support and protection needed to benefit from it.
This is why Ijeoma believes representation must involve more than numbers. Women need access, influence, protection and the ability to participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives and careers.
It is also an important reminder that conversations about women’s empowerment must examine the conditions that determine how far women can progress.
Visibility Can Open Doors, but It Must Lead Somewhere
The theme of the 18th Global ELOY Conference, The Power of Being Seen: Visibility as a Global Tool for Women’s Empowerment, speaks directly to Ijeoma’s work and professional beliefs.
She considers media visibility a powerful tool for changing perceptions about women. When women are consistently recognised for their expertise, achievements and leadership, it becomes harder to maintain outdated assumptions about the industries they can enter or the positions they can occupy.
Consider a young girl who sees a woman leading a technology company, managing a major financial institution or influencing public policy. That image can change how she thinks about her own future. It gives her examples of what is possible and challenges the idea that certain careers or leadership positions are beyond her reach.
Visibility can also create practical opportunities for women. It can introduce them to potential partners, investors, employers and organisations that may not have known about their work.
However, Ijeoma makes an important distinction: visibility should not simply make women popular. It should position them to influence decisions, access opportunities and create lasting impact.
Being recognised is valuable, but recognition should lead to meaningful opportunities.
Why Are So Many Women’s Achievements Still Overlooked?
Despite the progress women have made across different industries, their contributions do not always receive adequate media attention.
Ijeoma points to historical patterns in media representation and leadership structures, where male voices have frequently received greater attention, particularly in politics, business, technology and other influential sectors.
There is also a tendency to associate women’s stories primarily with fashion, beauty and lifestyle. While these subjects deserve coverage, they should not define the limits of how women are represented in the media.
Women are also contributing to economic development, innovation, governance and leadership. Their work deserves to be covered with the same seriousness and editorial interest given to other areas of public life.
Access presents another challenge. Some women are doing remarkable work but lack the professional networks, communication skills or confidence to bring attention to their achievements.
Closing this gap requires effort from both sides. Newsrooms must make deliberate editorial decisions to feature women across different industries, while women must also learn to communicate the value of their work.
For Ijeoma, the media must do more than celebrate a few successful women. It must also question the systems that prevent others from reaching similar positions. Gender pay disparities, discrimination, violence and the underrepresentation of women in political leadership are issues that deserve sustained attention.
Journalism, in her view, should document progress while examining the barriers that continue to limit it.
Your Story Doesn’t Have to Be Extraordinary to Be Worth Telling
One of the most relatable points in Ijeoma’s perspective is her understanding of what makes a woman’s story compelling.
It does not have to be a story about a celebrity, a wealthy entrepreneur or a woman who has reached the highest level of her profession. A woman does not need an impressive title or a long list of awards before her experiences become valuable.
Sometimes, the most meaningful stories come from women who are making a difference in their immediate environments, overcoming difficult circumstances or finding practical ways to solve problems.
What matters is the journey, the challenges, the impact and what other people can learn from the experience.
Ijeoma encourages women to think carefully about how they communicate their work. Rather than simply promoting a business or listing professional achievements, they should be able to explain the problem they are solving, the results they have achieved and why their contributions matter.
For a woman seeking media attention, this distinction can make a difference. A compelling story gives an audience a reason to connect with the person behind the achievement.
It also helps journalists understand the wider relevance of the experience being shared.
Building Visibility in a Digital Age
Social media has changed how women present themselves professionally. Platforms such as LinkedIn and Instagram allow individuals to share their work, demonstrate expertise, connect with industry leaders and participate in conversations without depending entirely on traditional media.
However, having an online presence is not the same as establishing credibility.
Ijeoma advises women to identify what they want to be known for and consistently share information that demonstrates their knowledge and experience. This could include professional insights, lessons from projects, opinions on industry developments or evidence of the results they have achieved.
A large following may attract attention, but trust is what gives a professional voice lasting value.
Women must also recognise that visibility is not reserved for those who have already achieved major milestones. Sharing knowledge, documenting progress and contributing to relevant discussions can help establish a professional identity over time.
The goal is to make sure that when opportunities arise, people have a clear understanding of what you know, what you do and the value you can offer.
Recognition Should Make Room for More Women
Throughout her career, Ijeoma has received several professional recognitions, including the Women Economic Forum Exceptional Women of Excellence Award and the ELOY Print Media Journalist of the Year Award.
She describes these recognitions as both humbling and motivating. They affirm that her work is making an impact and encourage her to remain committed to excellence and purpose.
Yet she also believes recognition should extend beyond individual achievements.
Women have a role to play in acknowledging one another’s contributions. Too many are conditioned to downplay their accomplishments or view other successful women as competition. Celebrating another woman’s progress should not diminish one’s own achievements.
When women recommend one another, share opportunities, acknowledge good work and make room for other voices, they help create an environment where more women can progress.
This is particularly important for women who are still finding their footing professionally. Seeing another woman receive recognition can provide encouragement and a practical example of what is possible.
Don’t Wait for Someone to Give You Permission to Be Seen
For women who have valuable experiences, expertise and ideas but struggle to gain recognition, Ijeoma’s advice is straightforward: do not wait until you feel completely ready or until someone gives you permission to be seen.
Start by recognising the value of your own work. Document your achievements, share your knowledge, build meaningful professional relationships and seek opportunities to contribute to conversations within your industry.
You do not have to start with a major media feature or a large online following. Visibility can grow through consistent efforts, meaningful professional relationships and the willingness to communicate what you bring to the table.
Her perspective also returns to an important part of her work as a journalist: the need to make room for other women. The goal should not be for one woman to gain recognition while others remain overlooked. It should be to create more opportunities for women to be heard, valued and considered for positions where they can make a difference.
Ijeoma Thomas-Odia’s work reminds us that women’s stories are not simply accounts of personal success. They are also records of expertise, leadership, resilience, contribution and the changes women are making across different industries.
Being seen matters, but what follows that visibility matters just as much. It should create access, influence and opportunities for women who have the ability to contribute but have not always received the recognition they deserve.
As the 18th Global ELOY Conference brings attention to the power of visibility, one message stands out: women should not have to wait for their achievements to become impossible to ignore before their stories are told.
Are You One of the 600?
Your experience, expertise and achievements deserve to be recognised. The ELOY x SARA 600 Initiative offers women an opportunity to strengthen their visibility, build meaningful connections and position themselves for opportunities that support their personal and professional growth.
Take your place among the 600 women committed to being seen, recognised and empowered.
Be Seen. Be Positioned. Be Ready.
